Slow rotation sprinkler head



Aug. 17, 1937. w. VAN E. THOMPSON 2,090,406

SLOW ROTATION SPRINKLER HEAD Fil ed Jan. 21, 1 935 y 6 Z 0 an 1 M1 a I m T .30 6 6 2 6 W w k 1 M 4 Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE" SLOW ROTATION SPRINKLER HEAD Application January 21, 1935, Serial No. 2,645

17 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in rotary sprinkler heads of the character employed in overhead irrigation. A method employed to apply water over an area uses a rotary sprinkler 5 head having laterally directed nozzles which issue jets or streams of Water, this water being distributed over a circular area as the result of rotation of the head and the jet issuing therefrom. To obtain a maximum area of distribution for a given pressure'of water obtainable, it is desirable to rotate the sprinkler head at a slow speed so that the maximum force of the jet is employed in carrying the water radially outwardly instead of spirally as where the head is rotated at relatively high speed. For producing a slow'rotation of the sprinkler head, various mechanisms have been'employed, such, for example, as water motors built into the sprinkler structure. D It is an object of my present invention to provide a rotatable sprinkler head which will accomplish an extremely slow rotation and yet avoid the use of relatively complex fluid motor driving devices. Accordingly, the new sprinkler head which I have produced not only gives superior results but may be manufactured and distributed at greatly reduced cost.

It is an object of my invention toprovide a sprinkler head having means for producing relatively small controlled impulses in the sprinkler head itself capable of overcoming the friction of the bearings on which the sprinkler head is carried and positively producing a small forward rotation as the result of each impulse. It is a further object of the invention to produce these impulses through the use of inertia in an eccentrically supported moving mass, and in the preferred practice of my invention the inertia-produced force for actuating the sprinkler head 4U periodically is accomplished through the use of a rotary member mounted so as to rotate eccentrically.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of the general character hereinabove set forth, in which the part carrying the eccentric mass is motivated by a flow of the fluid which the sprinkler is adapted to distribute.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sprinkler of the above character having a rotary member mounted on the exterior of the rotating sprinkler head, this rotary member being engaged and driven by a'jet of fluid issuing from the sprinkler head. In the preferred practice of the invention this rotary member embodies an eccentric mass, the inertia of which applies an oscillating force to the sprinkler head.

A further object of the invention is to provide the rotating member with deflector walls for deflecting the fluid jet by which the rotary member is driven so that the reaction produced by deflection of the jet will transmit rotating force to the sprinkler head.

A further object of the invention is to provide an auxiliary means for controlling the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head, such means consisting preferably of a nozzle adapted to deliver a jet or stream of fluid, the angle of which may be varied so as to produce a desired reaction in the sprinkler head.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an automatic and self-adjusting thrust bearing and seal for a rotary sprinkler head.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be made evident throughout the follow ing part of the specification.

Referring to the drawing, which is for illustrative purposes only,

Fig. 1 is a partly sectioned elevational View of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a partly sectioned plan view corresponding to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view looking toward the end of the rotary member.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary section on the plane BB of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a section taken as indicated by the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing the self-adjusting thrust bearing ring and seal employed in the sprinkler.

As shown in Fig. 1, I provide a hollow spindle or mandrel II which may be secured by use of a coupling I2 to the upper end of a fluid delivery pipe l3. This mandrel I I has an axial opening I4 therethrough and is provided with acylindrical enlargement I5 at its upper end which forms a downwardly facing shoulder I6. Mounted on the mandrel I I is a sprinkler head I! having a downwardly faced threaded opening I8 into which the upper end of a sleeve I9 may be threaded. This sleeve I9 has a minor bore 2I adapted to enclose the major portion of the mandrel I I and has a major bore 22 at the upper end thereof adapted to receive the enlargement or head I 5 provided at the upper end of the mandrel I I. When the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. 1, the opening I4 of the mandrel communicates with'a space 23 in the upper part of the head I1, and the enlarged portion I5 of the mandrel I I rests principally inthe major bore 22 but has the extreme upper portion 24 thereof projecting above the upperend of the sleeve I9. In this upper end 24 of the enlargement l5 and external annular channel is formed, such channel being flared outwardly and receiving therein a 7 rubber ring 25 which projects out over the upper end of the sleeve i9 and is of such external diameter that the periphery thereof engages the cylindrical wall 23. formed at the upper end of the opening l8. This rubber ring formsan effective sand seal for preventing the settling of sand downwardly into the bearing structure.

The device is provided with a self-adjustin thrust bearing comprising a metal ring 21 such as shown in detail in Fig. 6, this ring surrounding the mandrel H below the enlargement l5 and being held in spaced relation from the enlargement by a ring 28 of yieldable or resilient material, such as rubber. When hydraulic force of water entering the space 23 lifts the head I! andthe sleeve 19, the radial wall 29 formed at the'lower end of the major bore 22 engages the lower face of the ring 21 and forces the ring 21 toward the enlargement l5 so that the intervening ring 28 is pressed tightly against the shoulder; of the enlargement l5. Under this.

pressure the ring 28 expands laterally, and to limit; this lateral expansion it is preferable to form a recess 31 in the upper portion of the ring.

ZIadapted to receive most of the ring 28. The ring 28, being of yieldable character, permits the adjustment ofthe lower face of the bearing ring 2'! against the bearing face provided by the shoulder 29. In this manner the ring 28 not only acts as a seal but also acts as an automatic means for adjustment of the cooperating bearing parts. The ring 28 also provides a means for frictional engagement between the stationary mandrel and the bearing ring 21 so that this ring 21 will stand stationary while the sleeve l9 rotates in engagement therewith.- Toward this end the mandrel H is knurled at 32 just below the cylindrical enlargement [5 so that the knurling will be engaged by the inner face 33 of the ring 28 so as to produce a driving interengagement therewith. The driving efi'ect thus produced is transmitted through the rubber ring to the bearing ring 21 and presses outwardly against the upstanding wall 34 of the ring 21.

The preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawing is provided with opposing discharge tubes 35 and 36 which communicate through passages 31 and 38 with the space 23 in the upper part of the sprinkler head [1. These discharge tubes or arms 35 and 36 are preferably disposed in a diametral plane and are sloped upwardly at an angle of incidence substantially as shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Figs.

' 1, 2, and 4, a discharge bushing 39 is secured in the outer end of the arm 35, this discharge bushing being adapted to issue a jet of fluid from the sprinkler along the line A-A, which line AA preferably extends outwardly and upwardly through a diametral plane as shown. A lug or bracket 4| is extended laterally from the forward portion of the arm 35 to support a shaft or axle member 42 carrying a rotary member 43. This rotary member is adapted to be engaged and driven by the jet of fluid issuing from the bushing 39 and to accomplish this result is provided with a plurality of radial vanes 44. To accomplish a desired driving of the rotary member 43, the axle 42 is placed so that it will lie in a plane B-B indicated in Fig. l and in a plane CC indicated in Fig 2. The plane BB diverges up wardly and outwardly relative to the axis AA, and the plane C-C converges outwardly toward the plane AA. Therefore, the blades 44 are disposed in the path of the jet indicated by the line AA at such an angle that the rotary member 43 will be driven at fairly high speed in clockwise direction. Furthermore, the jet issuing from the bushing 39 may exert a continuous but relatively small reaction against the rotary member 43, as indicated by the arrow 45 of Fig. 2, tending to rotate the head I! in the clockwise direction indicated by the arrow 46. It will be understood that the angle of the shaft 42 relative to the axis AA may be varied so as to change the forces applied to the rotary member 43 by the jet issuing from the bushing 39. In other words, the plane CC may be changed so as to vary the force acting in the direction of the arrow 45, and

the plane B-B may be varied so that the speed of rotation of the member 43 may be changed to suit conditions of. operation which may develop in various sizes of sprinkler heads. l.

The rotary member 43 has, inner and outer .end faces and a periphery or cylindrical face along which the vanes 44 are extended; .These vanes are extended along the periphery or along the.

body as distinguished from across the periphery;

or at great angles to the axis of the rotary member 43. By the term along is meant. in a direction parallel to or at angles not greater than an obtuse angle with reference to the axis of theretary member. In the form of my invention illustrated herein thevanes 44 extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotary member 43.

The vanes 44 are formed by cutting. grooves 4! and 48 along the periphery of the body of metal. The grooves 41 continue along the periphery of the member 43 from end to end thereof 'so as to produce vanes 44 separated by open-ended chan-.

nels, but the grooves 48 are discontinued before reaching the outer end of the member 43, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Accordingly, a

definite eccentric body of metal 49 is left at one side of the rotary member 43 to provide an ec-.

centric mass the inertia of which applies an oscillating force to the shaft 42 which transmits such oscillating force to the sprinkler head l1. As shown in Fig. 3, which constitutes an end view of the rotary member 43, the eccentric body of metal 49 results in moving the center of gravity of the rotary member 43 laterally to an axis rep-.

resented by the point P in Fig. 3. The member 43 tends to revolve around the point P and to carry the axle 42 through a path indicated by a dotted line 5|. Therefore, as the member 43 rotates, inertia acting therein definitely applies to- As the member the shaft 42 an oscillating force. 43 revolves from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 so as to carry the eccentric body 49 toward the axis AA, a definite thrust will be applied to the head I1 through the shaft 42 in cillate the head I! back and forth. The ampli--' tude of this oscillation depends upon several factors, such; for example. as the magnitude of the eccentric mass, its eccentricity, and also the resistance encountered in. the'bearing structure by whichjthe head I! iSSllpDOItEdr. It is a feature of my invention that the oscillation of the head I! is assisted in one direction and resisted in the other, with the result that a slow forward stepby-step rotation of the head I! is produced. For example, the reaction of the fluid issuing from the bushing 39 may cause a forward force'to be exerted in the direction of the arrow 45. This force will resist either partly or completely the oscillating force of the member 43 when such force is exerted in a direction contrary to the arrow 45 and will supplement the oscillating force of the member 43 when such force is exerted in the direction of the arrow 45. The reaction exerted in the. direction of the arrow 45 may be accomplished entirely through the deflecting of the jet of water issuing from the bushing 39 through the striking of this jet of water against the member 43, or an additional jet-forming means may be provided on the sprinkler head for issuing a jet, the reaction of which will produce rotary forces in the head l1. Such additional jet-forming means I have shown as a discharge nozzle 52 which is threaded into the outer end of the discharge tube or arm 35. This nozzle has a discharge opening 53 drilled angularly therein so that by turning the nozzle 52, the line of delivery of fluid through the opening 53 may be caused to coincide with the diametral plane through the discharge head I! or to be directed angularly from one side or the other of the central. position.

In the form of the invention shown, however, the forward reaction for producing a forward rotation of the head IT, as indicated by the arrow 46, is accomplished through the deflection by the rotary member 43 of the jet which issues from the bushing 39. As shown in Fig. 4, the disclosed method of cutting the slots 48 produces in the rotary member 43 walls 54 which abruptly intercept the jet which issues from the bushing 39, as indicated at 55, and therefore these walls 54 may be termed abrupt walls or deflecting walls. Therefore, as the grooves 48, of which three are shown in the drawing, are brought into V the jet as shown at 55, the deflection of the jet laterally as indicated by arrows 5B of Fig. 4 will produce a reaction of the sprinkler head in the opposite direction, or, in other words, the direction indicated by the arrow 45 of Fig. 2. Therefore, each time the rotary member 43 rotates, there will be a forward impulse applied to the sprinkler head. This forward impulse assists the inertia-produced forward impulse of the eccentrically rotating body 49 so that a resultant forward rotation of the sprinkler head is accomplished.

From the foregoing it will be seen that my invention includes a combination in which the rotary member has vanes which are disposed along the periphery thereof. There are supported by or formed as a part of the rotary member walls which are so positioned that a force is applied to rotate the rotary member. There are also other walls which are so positioned that the jet or stream of water striking against such walls will produce a reactionary force tending to rotate the sprinkler head in a given direction. The walls which cause a rotation of the rotary member are those walls which form in effect the side walls of the vanes 44 and which are angled relative to the line AA which is the center line of the jet, as illustrated best in Fig. l. The walls which produce the reactionary force are the walls 54 which extend across the path of the jet rather than along the jet as in the case of the side walls of the vanes. This arrangement of parts provides the necessary oscillating movement and thenecessary reactionary force to cause a slow rotation of the sprinkler without producing more than a minimum of interference with the stream of water flowing fromthe nozzle or jet 39.

The adjustable jet-forming means represented by the nozzle 52 makes it possible to vary the speed of rotation of the sprinkler head. For example, whenthe nozzle is disposed as shown in Fig. 2, the reaction of the jet issuing therefrom will be opposite to the direction of rotationof the head I7, and therefore the supplementary jet will serve as a brake to minimize the forward rotation of the head produced by the structure supported by the arm 35. As hereinbeiore disclosed, the nozzle 52 may be rotated so as to bring the discharge passage 53 into a centralized position wherein no braking force will be exerted thereby, or the nozzle 52 may be rotated through an angle of from the position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 so that the reaction thereof will produce a forward rotating force in the head I!.

Although I have herein shown and described my invention in simple and practical form, it is recognized that certain parts or elements thereof are representative of other parts, elements, or mechanisms which may be used in substantially the same manner to accomplish substantially the same results; therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge orifice; and a rotary member mounted on said head in such position that it will be engaged and rotated by the jet of fluid issuing from said orifice, said rotary member embodying a mass placed eccentric to the axis of said rotary member whereby to apply an oscillating force to said head, said rotary member having deflector walls for deflecting said jet so as to produce a reaction to rotate said head, and said rotary member having vanes disposed in the path of said jet so that said rotary member will be rotated by said jet.

2. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge orifice; and a rotary member mounted on said head in such position that it will be engaged and rotated by the jet of fluid issuing from said orifice, said rotary member embodying a mass placed eccentric to the axis of said rotary member whereby to apply an oscillating force to said head, said rotary member having deflector walls placed so as to intermittently deflect said jet and to produce intermittent reactions to rotate saidhead, and said rotary member having vanes disposed in the path of said jet so that said rotary member will be rotated by said jet.

3. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge orifice; and a rotary member mounted on said head in such position that it will be engaged and rotated by the jet offluid issuing on said head in such position that it will be engaged and rotated by the jet of fluid issuing from said orifice, said rotary member having vanes thereon to .be engaged by said jet so as to rotate said rotary member and having a wall thereon constructed and arranged to deflect said jet of fluid and produce a reaction impulse to rotate said sprinkler head forwardly.

5. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge passage for delivering an outwardly directed jet in a substantially radial plane; a cylindrical rotary member of substantial length having vanes provided on the lateral surface of said cylindrical member and extending in the direction of the axis of rotation thereof, said rotary member embodying an eccentric mass which is so positioned that it will produce an oscillating force tending to rotate said rotatable sprinkler head when said rotary member is revolved; and axle means carried by said head and supporting said rotary member in such position that the varies on one side of said rotary member will lie in the path of said jet at such an angle relative thereto that said jet will rotate said rotary member.

6. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge passage for delivering an outwardly directed jet in a substantially radial plane; a rotary member having circumferentially disposed vanes, said rotary member embodying an eccentric mass which is so positioned that it will produce an oscillating force tending to rotate said rotatable sprinkler head when said rotary member is revolved; and axle means carried by said head and supporting said rotary member in such position that the vanes on one side of said rotary member will lie in the path of said jet at a slight angle relative to the path of said jet so that said rotary member will be rotated ,by said jet but will accomplish a minimum deflection of said jet.

7. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge passage for delivering an outwardly directed jet in a substantially radial plane; a rotary member having circumferentially disposed vanes, said rotary member embodying an eccentric mass which is so positioned that it will produce an oscillating force tending to rotate said rotatable sprinkler head when said rotary member is revolved; and axle means carried by said head and supporting said rotary member in such position that the vanes on one side of said rotary member will lie in the path of said jet at a slight angle relative to the path of said jet so that said rotary member will be rotated by said jet but will accomplish a minimum deflection of said jet, there being an abutment on one side of said rotary member constructed and arranged to be engaged by said jet and to deflect said jet so that a definite reaction tending to rotate said head will be. thereby produced.

8. A sprinkler of the character described, including: a rotatable sprinkler head having a fluid discharge passage for delivering an outwardly directed jet in a substantially radial plane; a cylindrical rotary member of substantial length having vanes provided on the lateral surface of said cylindrical member and extending in the dihead when said rotary member is revolved; axle means carried by said head and supporting said rotary member in such position that the vanes on one side of said rotary member will lie in the path of said jet at such an angle relative thereto that said jet will rotate said rotary member; and an adjustable jet-forming member carried by said head, said jet forming member being adapted to issue a jet the angle of which may be changed so that the reaction thereof tending ,to rotate said head may be varied.

9. .In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having vanes disposed on the periphery thereof, which vanes extend in the direction of the axis of rotation of said rotary member, and having its center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; and means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in such a position that said stream will flow along said vanes at sufiicient angle thereto to cause said rotary member to rotate.

10. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having vanes disposed along the periphery thereof, and having its center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; and means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in such a position that said stream will flow along said vanes at suflicient angle thereto to cause said rotary member to totate, and so that said stream will strike said rotary member to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said sprinkler head.

11. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: .a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis positioned so that said stream flows in a direction along said rotary member; and vanes on the periphery of said rotary member extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of said rotary member and having walls engageable by said stream constructed and arranged to rotate said rotary member.

12. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis positioned so that said stream flows in a direction along said rotary member; and vanes on said rotary member having walls engageable by said stream constructed and arranged to rotate said rotary member, and so as to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said sprinkler head.

13. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis at no greater than an obtuse angle relative to the axis of said stream; and vanes on the periphery of said rotary member extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of said rotary member and having walls engageable by said stream constructed and arranged to rotate said rotary member.

14. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a centerof gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis at no greater than an obtuse angle relative to the axis of said stream; and vanes on said rotary member having walls engageable by said stream constructed and arranged to rotate said rotary member, and so as to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said sprinkler head.

15. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis positioned so that said stream flows in a direction along said rotary member; and vanes on the periphery of said rotary member extending in the direction of the axis of rotation of said rotary member and in such positions that when they move into the path of said stream they are at angles to the axis of said stream.

16. In an irrigation sprinkler, the combination of: a rotatable sprinkler head having a discharge orifice through which a stream of liquid is discharged; a rotary member having a center of gravity eccentric to its axis of rotation; means for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis positioned so that said stream flows in a direction along said rotary member and en-- for supporting said rotary member on said sprinkler head in a position adjacent said stream and with its axis positioned so that said stream flows in a direction along said rotary member and engages same to produce a reactionary force tending to rotate said sprinkler head; and vanes on said rotary member in such positions that when they move into the path of said stream they are at angles to the axis of said stream.

WALTER VAN E. THOMPSON. 

